Boiler cleaner



Dec. 3, 1935..- 'w. P.'THOMAS ,ET L

BOILER CLEANER Filed A ril 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY S 3 1935. w. P. THOMAS ET AL 2,023,103

BOILER CLEANER Filed April 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS [WY/f5 firiwwgs 7 fi wrs ATTORNEYS Dec. 35 1935. w P, THOMAS AL 2,023,108

BOILER CLEANER Filed April 27, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ MM P Thomas Frdik CLay/g; Grea 3 ATTORNEY-8 Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNETED SEATES Artur Fries BOHJER CLEANER Application April 27, 1931, Serial No. 533,258

10 Claims.

This invention relates to boiler cleaners of the character in which a blower element is positioned within a boiler and is adapted to discharge cleaning fluid adjacent portions of the boiler to be cleaned.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide means for maintaining the blower element in a relatively cool condition so that the blower element will not be destroyed by the heat of the boiler.

A further object of this invention is to provide a construction in which the blower element will be cooled by radiation so that the blower element may be positioned in the hottest part of the boiler.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic sectional view partly in elevation showing a boiler and a boiler cleaner constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention associated with the same;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. i;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4.- is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line ll of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a further modified embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a further modification of the inventive idea;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a still further form of the invention; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing still another modification of the invention.

Referring then particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, there is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings a boiler designated generally by the reference character it. For the purpose of illustration, this boiler is shown as being of the Stirling type, although it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to a boiler of any character.

The boiler includes a lower drum ll, upper drums l2, and boiler tubes l3 connecting these drums, these tubes being arranged in banks l4, l5 and IS. A row of boiler tubes arranged in front of the bank is provides a slag screen designated by the reference character l7. Suitable bafiies !8 are provided for effecting a circulation 5 of the products of combustion of the boiler fur nace around the several banks of tubes in accordance with the usual practice.

The present invention contemplates the provision of blower elements so positioned relative 10 to the boiler tubes it as to discharge cleaning fluid adjacent these tubes to clean the same. The invention further provides for the association of the blower elements with the boiler tubes in such a manner that the heat absorbed by the 15 blower elements from the boiler furnace will be transmitted to the boiler tubes. In Fig. 1 the blower elements are shown as associated with the boiler tubes on one side of each of the banks M and i5 and on both sides of the bank I 6, but it is to be clearly understood that the blower elements may be associated with any of the boiler tubes, depending entirely upon the results desired and the circumstances surrounding each particular installation.

Referring then particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that certain of the boiler tubes 83 are surrounded by pipes or tubes 26. These tubes constitute blower elements and are of greater diameter than the boiler tubes so that between the inner periphery of each blower element and the outer periphery of the tube with which the blower element is associated, a passage 2| is provided. The blower elements are preferably eccentric relative to the boiler tubes, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and the blower elements are provided with suitably spaced discharge nozzles 22 for directing jets of cleaning fluid from the passages 2i adjacent the portions of the boiler to be cleaned.

For mounting the blower elements on the boiler tubes without subjecting either the blower elements or the boiler tubes to strain incident to the unequal expansion or contraction of these members, the following structure may be provided. Each blower element may be threadedly connected at its upper end to a ring 23. The ring 23 is provided with an eccentric opening 2 5 for receiving the boiler tube l3 and each ring is preferably welded to its respective boiler tube, as designated by the reference character 25. Adjacent the lower end of the blower element a second ring 26, similar to the ring 23, is welded to the boiler tube as indicated at 21. The ring 26, however, is not threaded, but snugly and slidably engages the inner periphery of the blower element, as indicated by the reference character 28. Thus each blower element is fixedly connected to its respective boiler tube at its upper end, but is slidable relative to the boiler tube adjacent its lower end with the result that the blower element is free to slide relative to the boiler tube to compensate for any differences in expansion and contraction between the blower element and boiler tube.

By reference to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the blower elements 26 associated with the boiler tubes I3 in the front row of the bank 16 are provided with four rows of nozzles 22. The nozzles of two of these rows are so disposed angularly with respect to the blower element as to discharge cleaning fluid adjacent the slag screen I1, while the nozzles of the other two rows are so disposed as to discharge cleaning fluid adjacent the front row of boiler tubes in the bank l6.

These blower elements, located as they are on the front row of tubes of the bank l6, are subjected to a higher temperature during operation of the boiler than are the blower elements 20 associated with the other boiler tubes of the several banks, and it therefore is important that the blower elements 20 be formed of some'material adapted more particularly for resisting this high temperature. Thus these blower elements may be formed of a suitable heat resisting alloy such as described in Patent No. 1,608,866, issued to Norman L. Snow et al. on November 30, 1926.

v In this patent several chromium iron alloys are disclosed which are particularly adapted for resisting the destructive agencies set into action by the operation of the boiler. The present invention contemplates forming the blower elements 20 of any one of these alloys or similar alloys capable of resisting the said destructive agencies.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings, a blower element may be associated with alternate boiler tubes in the outer rows of the tube ,7 banks, although it is to be understood that more or less of the blower elements may be provided if desired and that these blower elements may, if desired, be associated with boiler tubes centrally of the tube banks. For supplying cleaning fluid to the blower elements, a suitable supply pipe 30 may be provided, which supply pipe is connected to any suitable source of cleaning fluid (not shown). This supply pipe is connected by a fitting 3! to a suitable header 32 and this header is in turn connected by branches 33 to 55 branch headers 34 which extend transversely of and adjacent the upper ends of the several tube banks. Fittings 35 provide communication between the branch headers and the upper ends of the blower elements, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. If desired, a drain pipe 36, controlled by a suitable valve (not shown), may be provided for receiving the drainage from the several headers above described.

In operation, when it is desired to clean the boiler, cleaning fluid such as steam or the like is admitted to the passages 21 of the blower elements by way of the connecting fittings 35. This cleaning fluid is discharged through the nozzles 22 adjacent the boiler tubes or other portions of the boiler to be cleaned. When the supply of cleaning fluid to the blower elements is out 01f, the heat absorbed by the blower elements is transmitted by radiation to the boiler tubes with which the blower elements are associated, with the re- 75 i sult that the blower elements are maintained relatively cool even though they are positioned in the hottest portions of the boiler. The blower elements will not therefore be destroyed by the heat of the boiler furnace and may be maintained in the boiler without requiring frequent renewal. 5

In Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings a slightly modified' form of construction is disclosed in which the blower elements ll are of 'oval cross sectional shape. These blower elements are provided with discharge nozzles 22 and are spaced from the 10 boiler tubes [3 to provide cleaning fluid passages 2l For supporting these blower elements on the boiler tubes, rings 40 and 4| are provided, these rings being oval in shape to correspond to the cross sectional shape of the blower elements 5 and being welded to the boiler tube adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof. For the purpose of securing the upperend of the blower element to the ring 40, a set screw 42 or the like may be provided, it being understood that the lower end 20 of the blower element slidably engages the outer periphery of the ring 4| in the same manner as the lower end of blower element 20 slidably engages ring 26.

As in the first described embodiment of the invention, cleaning fluid supplied to the blower element will be conducted by the fluid passage 2 I for discharge through the nozzles 22*. When the blower element is not in use, the heat absorbed by the blower element will be transmitted to the 30 boiler tube so that the blower element will be maintained relatively cool.

In Fig. 8 a further modification of the inventive idea is disclosed in which a blower element 20 circular in cross section and thus cor- 5 responding in cross sectional shape to the blower element 20, is eccentrically sleeved on a boiler tube I3". In this case, however, the blower element is formed of the half sections 45 and 46 having their meeting edges welded together, as 40 designated by the reference character 41. When the blower element is formed in two halves welded together in this manner, it may be readily associated with the long tubes of the boiler, as will be readily apparent. 45

Instead of forming the cleaning fluid passages exteriorly of the boiler tubes, as above described, these passages may be formed interiorly of the tubes, as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings. This may be accomplished by 5 mounting partitions within certain selected boiler tubes to provide cleaning fluid passages within these tubes, these passages being complementary to the passages in the boiler tubes for the usual water which flows through these tubes.

By reference to Fig. 9 of the drawings, it will be noted that boiler tubes l3 may be divided interiorly by the partition 50 into passages 5| and 52. The passage 5| may be connected in any desired manner to a source of supply of cleaning fluid and thus constitutes a cleaning fluid supply passage similar to the passage 2|. Nozzles 53 are suitably located at spaced points longitudinally of the boiler tubes and communicate with passage 5! to provide for the discharge of cleaning fluid from this passage adjacent portions of the boiler to be cleaned. The passage 52 constitutes the normal water passage of the boiler tube and is connected at its ends to the boiler drums in accordance with the usual practice. The partition 58 may be secured within the boiler tube in any desired manner as by welding or the like and if desired, the boiler tube may be formed of longitudinally extending half sections secured together to facilitate this welding operation.

' In Fig. 10 a boiler tube I3 is illustrated as being divided into the passages 5| d and 52 by a partition 5.5. Nozzles 53 communicate with the passa e Bi for discharging cleaning fluid from this passage adjacent the portions of the boiler to be cleaned.

The partition 55 is preferably arcuate in shape and the longitudinal edges of this partition may be welded or otherwise secured to the inner periphery of the boiler tube as designated by the reference character 56. To facilitate the securing of the partition within the boiler tube, the latter may be transversely divided into half sections and then rewelded together, as designated by the reference character 57.

In Fig. 11 a further modification of the invention is disclosed as comprising a boiler tube I3 This tube is formed of the half sections 60 and 6|, and welded or otherwise fixed between these half sections is a plate or partition 62. Thus when the half sections of the boiler tube are secured together, water and cleaning fluid passages 5l and 52 respectively are formed within the boiler tube, suitable nozzles 53 being provided for discharging cleaning fluid from the passage 5| to adjacent the portions of the boiler to be cleaned. Obviously, any of the boiler tubes of the several banks of tubes within the boiler may be divided in the manner illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, to provide blower elements wherever desired within the tube banks of the boiler.

From the above it will be apparent that the invention provides blower elements so associated with the boiler tubes that the blower elements will be maintained relatively cool by the boiler tubes. The cleaning fluid passages are defined in part by the boiler tubes, and, while the blower elements are carried by the boiler tubes, they are free to expand and contract relative to the boiler tubes.

For the sake of convenience the invention has been described as being incorporated in a device for cleaning boilers. It will be apparent, however, that the inventive principles disclosed may be incorporated in devices for cleaning apparatuses similar to boilers, and it is to be therefore understood that the term boiler wherever used throughout the specification and claims is to be construed as meaning a fluid heater or heat transfer apparatus of any character and that the term boiler cleaner is to be construed as meaning a cleaner for any such type of apparatus.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and that the right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a boiler tube, of a tubular member the opening through which is of greater cross sectional area than said boiler tube surrounding the boiler tube, said tubular member cooperating with said boiler tube to provide a cleaning fluid passage, the inner wall of which is defined by said boiler tube, and means for supporting said tubular member from said boiler tube while providing for movement of said tubular member relative to the boiler tube to compensate for differences in the expansion and contraction of said tubular member and boiler tube.

2. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a cleaning fluid passage, the inner wall of whichis provided by said boiler tube, means for rigidly supporting one end of said blower element from said boiler tube, and means for slidably supporting the other end of said blower element from said boiler tube.

4. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a boiler tube, of a ring eccentrically mounted on said boiler tube, and a tubular member fixed adjacent its one end to said ring and cooperating with said boiler tube to provide a cleaning fiuid passage and means cooperating with the other end of said tubular member to close the said passage while permitting movement of the last mentioned end of the tubular member relative to the boiler tube.

5. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a boiler tube, of a blower element surrounding said boiler tube in spaced relation thereto, a, ring fixed to one end of said blower element and to said boiler tube, and a second ring spaced from said first mentioned ring, said second ring being fixed to said boiler tube and having its peripheral portion slidably engaging the inner periphery of said blower element.

6. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a boiler tube, of a pair of oval rings fixed to said boiler tube in spaced relation to each other, a

tubular member of oval cross sectional shape engaging the outer peripheries of said rings and surrounding said boiler tube to form with the boiler tube a cleaning fluid passage, and means including a set screw for securing said tubular member to one of said rings.

7. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with spaced boiler drums and a boiler tube of standard construction constituting a part of the boiler steam generating system and connecting said drums, said boiler tube being of constant cross sectional area throughout its length and having its ends fitted in the usual tube openings in said drums, of a tubular member surrounding said boiler tube in spaced relation to the same and cooperating therewith to form a cleaning fiuid passage which extends longitudinally of the boiler tube for a substantial portion of the length thereof, means for supplying cleaning fluid to the passage formed between said tubular member and said boiler tube, and means providing for the discharge of cleaning fluid from said passage to adjacent the portions of the boiler to be cleaned.

8. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a bank of boiler tubes constituting a part of the steam generating system of the boiler, of a blower element circular in cross section surrounding one of said boiler'tubes, the passage through said blower element being of substantially greater cross sectional area than said boiler tube to provide between said blower element and said boiler tube a passage for receiving cleaning fluid, means for supplying cleaning fluid to said passage, and means providing for the discharge of cleaning fluid from said passage to adjacent the parts of the boiler to be cleaned.

9. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a boiler tube, of a tubular member of greater cross sectional area than said boiler tube surrounding said boiler tube and extending longitudinally thereof so as to form with the boiler tube a cleaning fluid passage which extends longitudinally of the boiler tube, said tubular member having its ends connected to said boiler tube but being otherwise free from connection with the boiler tube, means for supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid passage provided between said tubular member and said boiler tube and means providing for the discharge of cleaning fluid from said passage adjacent parts of the boiler to be cleaned. r

10. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a boiler tube, of a pair of members carried by and surrounding said boiler tube, said members said passage to adjacent the parts of the boiler 10 to be cleaned.

WILLIS P. THOMAS. FRANK BOWERS. CHARLES E. GROSS. 

